Wheeled portable air compressor

ABSTRACT

A portable air compressor ( 10 ) includes a motor ( 24 ) having an output shaft ( 76 ) and a compressor ( 18 ) having an input shaft ( 66 ). The compressor ( 18 ) further includes a lower mounting surface ( 64 ) and an upper cooling surface ( 60 ). The upper cooling surface ( 60 ) lies in a common plane with the output shaft ( 76 ) of the motor ( 24 ). A drive linkage ( 26 ) operably couples the output shaft ( 76 ) of the motor ( 24 ) for concurrent rotation with the input shaft ( 66 ) of the compressor ( 18 ). A fan ( 80 ) is coupled for rotation with the output shaft ( 76 ) of the motor ( 24 ) and directs air across the upper cooling surface ( 60 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of international patent applicationPCT/EP2003/031829, filed Oct. 9, 2003 and designating the U.S., whichwas published under PCT Article 21(2) in English, and claims priority ofU.S. Patent Application No. 60/417,725, filed Oct. 10, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to portable air compressors and moreparticularly to an air compressor fan cooling configuration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An air compressor may be used to provide a hand-held tool with pneumaticpower. The compressor is part of an assembly that further includes aprime mover for driving the compressor and a tank for storing compressedair. The prime mover may include an electric motor or an internalcombustion engine.

A drive assembly operatively interconnects the motor with the compressorto transfer torque from the motor to the compressor. A conventionaldrive assembly may include a pulley, a flywheel and a linkage mechanismthat cooperate to reciprocate a piston within the compressor uponrotation of an output shaft of the motor. The reciprocating piston pumpscompressed air into the tank. A pneumatic power hose extends from thetank to the pneumatically powered tool. The motor and compressorassembly may be mounted on a frame including wheels and a handleallowing portability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An air compressor pump includes a motor having an output shaft. Acompressor includes an input shaft, a lower mounting surface and anupper cooling surface. The upper cooling surface lies in a common planewith the output shaft. A drive linkage operably couples the output shaftfor concurrent rotation with the input shaft. A first fan is coupled forrotation with the output shaft. The first fan directs air across theupper cooling surface upon rotation of the output shaft.

In other features, the first fan draws air across the cooling surfaceand dispenses the air radially. The drive linkage includes a beltconnecting the input shaft with the output shaft. The input and outputshafts are laterally disposed. A shroud is disposed over a portion ofthe drive linkage and a grill is disposed around the first fan. A secondfan is coupled for rotation with the input shaft and directs air towardthe compressor.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portable air compressor according tothe teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the portable air compressor;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the portable air compressor shown with theshroud removed for illustration;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the portable air compressor taken alongline 4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the portable air compressor taken alongline 5-5 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses. For purposes of clarity, the same referencenumbers will be used in the drawings to identify similar elements.

With initial reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a portable air compressorassembly according to the present invention is illustrated and generallyidentified at reference 10. The portable air compressor 10 includes aframe 14 which carries a power operated air compressor 18 and an aircontaining structure or tank 20. The air compressor 18 is driven by agasoline engine 24 through a drive assembly 26. It is appreciatedhowever that other power generating devices may be employed to operatethe compressor 18 such as an electric motor for example.

The frame 14 includes a pair of wheels 28 coupled for rotation on afirst end 30 and a pair of legs 34 extending from an opposite end 38. Acontrol panel 16 is arranged on the frame 14. The control panel 16preferably includes a pressure gauge and may also include other gaugesrelated to the engine 24 or the compressor 18. A support platform 40extends from the frame 14 and supports the engine 24 in a raisedposition with respect to the compressor 18. The engine 24 and thecompressor 18 are preferably arranged laterally with respect to alongitudinal axis of the frame 14. A protective shroud 22 is fixedlymounted over an upper portion of the compressor 18 and the driveassembly 26.

When the compressor 18 is powered by the engine 24 it is operable toprovide a source of air under pressure to the tank 20. The compressor 18is of the type including dual internal cylinders containing pistons (notshown). Reciprocal movement of the pistons pump air from an outlet port44 on the compressor 18 through an air line 46 to an inlet port 48 onthe tank 20. The compressor 18 may comprise alternative pistonconfigurations such as a single piston for example. The air is retainedin the tank 20 and is released according to user request through apneumatic air hose (not shown).

With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the compressor 18 defines asubstantially box-like structure including a lower portion 52 and anupper portion 54. The compressor 18 includes a head 58 having an uppercooling surface 60 defining an upper cooling plane. A lower mountingsurface 64 lies on an opposite end of the upper cooling surface 60. Thecompressor 18 is fixedly mounted in an upright position on the frame 14at compressor mounts 68. The compressor mounts 68 preferably providecompliance to assist in vibration dissipation of the compressor 18during operation.

The upper portion 54 of the compressor 18 houses the pistons. Thepistons are each supported for reciprocating movement along a respectivevertical axis. Inlet and outlet valves (not shown) are incorporated onthe upper portion 54 of the compressor 18. The valves allow air to passthrough the upper portion 54 of the compressor 18 to the outlet port 44under the influence of the pistons.

A gearing arrangement (not shown) is provided in the lower portion 52 ofthe compressor 18 to transfer rotational movement of an input shaft 66into linear actuation of the pistons within the upper portion 54 of thecompressor 18. The input shaft 66 is rotatably supported by and extendsthrough a bearing (not shown) arranged on rear face 70 of the lowerportion 52 of the compressor 18.

The tank 20 is in the form of a single tank fixedly mounted in atransverse relationship with respect to the frame 14. The tank 20 mayalternatively be arranged laterally with respect to the frame 14. Inaddition, the compressor assembly 10 may include tank arrangements suchas a pair of tanks mounted in a parallel relationship.

With continued reference to FIG. 3 and further reference to FIGS. 4 and5, the drive assembly 26 will be described in greater detail. The engine24 has an output shaft 76 defining a longitudinal central axis 78. Aterminal end of output shaft 76 includes a first cooling fan 80 coupledthereto. A drive wheel 82 is disposed on the output shaft 76 inboard ofthe first cooling fan 80. The input shaft 66 of the compressor 18defines a longitudinal central axis 88.

The input shaft 66 includes a flywheel 96 disposed on a terminal endthereof. A second cooling fan 92 is incorporated on the flywheel 96. Thelongitudinal axis 78 of the output shaft 76 and the longitudinal axis 88of the input shaft 66 are preferably arranged in a parallelrelationship. The output shaft 76 and the input shaft 66 are alsopreferably arranged in a lateral relationship with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the frame 14. A drive belt 98 transmits torque fromthe drive wheel 82 on the output shaft 76 to the flywheel 96 on theinput shaft 66. The second cooling fan 92 ingests air through a grill100 incorporated on the engine support structure 40. Alternatively, anidler pulley may be incorporated to provide additional clearance forcomponents potentially impeding the rotation of the drive belt 98.

With reference now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the operation of the cooling fans80, 92 will be described. The first cooling fan 80 is preferably aradial fan. It will be appreciated that cooling fan 80 may comprisealternative forms such as an axial fan for example. The longitudinalaxis 78 of the engine output shaft 76 lies on a substantially commonplane as the upper cooling surface 60 of the compressor 18. In this way,the first cooling fan 80 draws air through a cutout 72 on a front face32 of the shroud 22. The air is directed across the upper coolingsurface 60 of the compressor 18 and is discharged radially through agrill 62 in the direction generally identified at reference A. Shroud 22may alternatively comprise a solid front face 32. The second cooling fan92 directs air toward the rear face 70 and consequently around thecompressor 18 in the direction generally identified at reference B.

A significant amount of heat generated by the compressor 18 is realizedat the head 58. The head 58 includes fins 112 formed thereon tofacilitate heat dissipation thereat. The alignment of the first coolingfan 80 with respect to the head 58 encourages a high rate of air flowover the head and, as a result, increased heat dissipation. Thearrangement of the engine 24, the first cooling fan 80 and thecompressor 18 also encourages ambient air to be drawn over the head 58.In this way, air is being pulled from an area substantially uninfluencedby heat generated by the engine 24.

Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoingdescription that the broad teachings of the present invention can beimplemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this invention hasbeen described in connection with particular examples thereof, the truescope of the invention should not be so limited since othermodifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon astudy of the drawings, the specification and the following claims.

1. An air compressor pump comprising: a motor having an output shaft; acompressor having an input shaft, a lower mounting surface and an uppercooling surface, said upper cooling surface lying in a common plane withsaid output shaft; a drive linkage operably coupling said output shaftfor concurrent rotation with said input shaft; and a first fan coupledfor rotation with said output shaft, said first fan directing air acrosssaid upper cooling surface upon rotation of said output shaft.
 2. Theair compressor pump of claim 1 wherein said fan draws air across saidcooling surface and dispenses said air radially outward.
 3. The aircompressor pump of claim 1 wherein said drive linkage includes a beltconnecting said input shaft with said output shaft.
 4. The aircompressor pump of claim 1 wherein said input shaft and said outputshaft are laterally displaced.
 5. The air compressor pump of claim 4wherein said input shaft and said output shaft are parallel.
 6. The aircompressor pump of claim 1, further comprising a shroud disposed over aportion of said drive linkage.
 7. The air compressor pump of claim 1,further comprising a grill disposed around said fan.
 8. The aircompressor pump of claim 1, further comprising a second fan coupled forrotation with said input shaft, said second fan directing air towardsaid compressor.
 9. The air compressor pump of claim 1 wherein saidmotor and said compressor are fixedly mounted to a frame.
 10. The aircompressor pump of claim 9 wherein said motor and said compressor arearranged laterally with respect to a longitudinal axis of said frame.11. The air compressor pump of claim 9 wherein said output shaft of saidmotor and said input shaft of said compressor are arranged laterallywith respect to a longitudinal axis of said frame.